Hidden pistol lock box

ABSTRACT

A hidden pistol lock box is provided. The hidden pistol lock box includes an upper body and a drop tray. The upper body has a base and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base. The drop tray is secured to the upper body by hinges. The drop tray includes an inner surface facing the upper body. A ledge is protruding from the inner surface and is sized to retain a pistol within as well as fit within the sidewall when the drop tray is in a closed position. A joint arm assembly attaches the upper body and the drop tray together. The joint arm assembly includes a speed and stop control joint operable to control a speed of a transition of the drop tray from the closed position to an open position. A locking mechanism locks the drop tray to the upper body in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/111,962, filed Feb. 4, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gun cases and, more particularly, to handgun cases that provide quick and easy opening while located in a discreet location.

Many people have firearms for recreational use such as target shooting. Others collect firearms. Moreover, an ever-increasing number of people are keeping guns, such as pistols and revolvers, in their homes and offices for protection. No matter what the purpose for the gun, the gun owner should have a safe storage box to protect the gun against unauthorized access and accidental discharge or misuse.

In contrast to the owner's need for a gun box which prevents unauthorized and accidental opening is the need for immediate access to the gun box and quick and easy grasping of the gun once access is obtained. When the owner suddenly realizes that the gun is needed because an intruder has entered the home or office, the gun box must be immediately accessible—then easily opened. Thus, although the cardinal requirement in preventing children's accidents would be to keep the gun box out of sight and out of reach of the child, that requirement may thwart the owner's purpose in storing the gun: immediate accessibility. A gun kept unloaded in a closet would cost the owner precious time in a crisis situation.

As can be seen, there is a need for a handgun case that provides quick and easy opening while located in a discreet location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hidden pistol lock box comprises: an upper body comprising a base and a sidewall extending about a periphery of the base; a drop tray secured to the upper body by a hinge and comprising an inner surface facing the upper body, wherein a ledge is protruding from the inner surface and is sized to retain a pistol within and fit within the sidewall when the drop tray is in a closed position; a joint arm assembly attaching the upper body and the drop tray together, wherein the joint arm assembly comprises a speed and stop control joint operable to control a speed of a transition of the drop tray from the closed position to an open position; and a locking mechanism operable to lock the drop tray to the upper body in the closed position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in a partially open configuration demonstrating scissor arm operation;

FIG. 4 is a section detail view of the present invention along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a section detail view of the present invention along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a hidden security pistol lock box that secretly attaches to existing furniture or cabinets. When the lock is deactivated, the bottom tray gently lowers using an adjustable speed control hinge arm. Adjustable pistol straps securely hold weapon in place as tray lowers. When the bottom tray lowers a motion activated light illuminates for approximately 20 seconds allowing easy retrieval of a pistol within. The present invention allows for safely hiding and locking a self-defense weapon in an area that is easily accessible, in case of an emergency situation, but hidden from view.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a hidden pistol lock box 10. The hidden pistol lock box 10 includes an upper body 38 and a drop tray 12. The upper body 38 has a base and a sidewall extending from a periphery of the base. The drop tray 12 is secured to the upper body 38 by hinges 36. The drop tray 12 includes an inner surface facing the upper body 38. A ledge 14 is protruding from the inner surface and is sized to retain a pistol 48 within as well as fit within the sidewall when the drop tray 12 is in a closed position. A joint arm assembly 22 attaches the upper body 38 and the drop tray 12 together. The joint arm assembly 22 includes a speed and stop control joint 34 operable to control a speed of a transition of the drop tray 12 from the closed position to an open position. A locking mechanism 16 locks the drop tray 12 to the upper body 38 in the closed position.

The hidden pistol lock box 10 may be secured to a structure 42, such as underneath a desk, underneath a bed, or other furniture. Therefore, the hidden pistol lock box 10 may be out of view from children or a potential intruder, but easily accessible to the user. In certain embodiments, a mount may secure the upper body 38 to the structure 42. For example, a plurality of bolts 40 may run through apertures formed through the base and into the structure 42. To access the pistol 48, the user unlocks the locking mechanism 16 and the drop tray 12 pivots downward to the open position. The user may then readily grab the pistol 48 for self defense.

As mentioned above, the pistol 48 may be retained within the drop tray 12. In certain embodiments, the ledge 14 may be U-shaped so that the pistol may fit within and be retained in between. In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include a strap 18. The strap 18 is secured to the inner surface of the drop tray 12 and includes a connector 20 operable to releasably connect a first portion of the strap to a second portion of the strap, forming a loop. The strap 18 may be wrapped around the handle of the pistol 48 and connected together, thereby securing the pistol 48 within the ledge 14. The connector 20 may be any connector 20 that may easily be disconnected by applying a pulling force, such as but not limited to, snap buttons, a hook and loop fastener and the like.

In certain embodiments, the joint arm assembly 22 includes an upper arm 28 pivotally mounted to the upper body 38 at pivot point 30 and a lower arm 24 pivotally mounted to the drop tray 12 at a pivot point 26. The upper arm 28 is pivotally connected to the lower arm at pivot point 32. The speed and stop control joint 34 joins the upper arm 28 and the lower arm 24 together. The speed and stop control joint 34 may include a spring and/or a gas piston. For example, a torsion spring may be disposed within the speed and stop control joint 34 biasing the drop tray 12 towards upper body 38. When the locking mechanism 16 is released, the drop tray 12 may lower at a slower speed due to spring, as the weight of the pistol 48 pushes the drop tray 12 downward against the bias of the spring. A stop member that is part of the speed and stop control joint 34 prevents the drop tray 12 from pivoting beyond a certain point. For example, the stop member prevents the drop tray 12 from pivoting beyond about 90 degrees, or pivoting beyond about 45 degrees relative to the upper body 38.

The present invention may further include a motion activated light 44 that emits a light 46 towards the ledge 14. For example, the motion activated light 44 may be secured to the base above the ledge 14. The motion activated light 44 may include a motion sensor. When the motion sensor senses motion, the light 44 is activated. The motion activated light 44 may also include a timer. After a set period of time has gone by without motion detected, the light 44 may turn off.

The locking mechanism 16 of the present invention may include a latch 16. In such embodiments, a pivoting latch 16 may be secured to the drop tray 12. A retaining lip may be formed in the sidewall of the upper body 38. The pivoting latch 16 secures against the retaining lip in a locked configuration when the hidden pistol lock box 10 is closed. A magnet may be used to unlock the pivoting latch 16, thereby allowing the drop tray 12 to lower exposing the pistol 14. Alternatively, the present invention may utilize locking mechanisms such as keyed, biometric, keypad, remote, or a card reader.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hidden pistol lock box comprising: an upper body comprising a base and a sidewall extending about a periphery of the base; a drop tray secured to the upper body by a hinge and comprising an inner surface facing the upper body, wherein a ledge is protruding from the inner surface and is sized to retain a pistol within and fit within the sidewall when the drop tray is in a closed position; a joint arm assembly attaching the upper body and the drop tray together, wherein the joint arm assembly comprises a speed and stop control joint operable to control a speed of a transition of the drop tray from the closed position to an open position; and a locking mechanism operable to lock the drop tray to the upper body in the closed position.
 2. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, further comprising a strap secured to the inner surface of the drop tray and comprising a connector operable to releasably connect a first portion of the strap to a second portion of the strap, forming a loop.
 3. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a snap button.
 4. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, further comprising a mount operable to secure the upper body to a structure.
 5. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, wherein the joint arm assembly comprises an upper arm pivotally mounted to the upper body and a lower arm pivotally mounted to the drop tray, wherein the speed and stop control joint joins the upper arm and the lower arm together.
 6. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, wherein the speed and stop control joint comprises one of a spring and a gas piston.
 7. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, wherein the ledge is U-shaped.
 8. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 1, further comprising a light disposed above the ledge.
 9. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 8, wherein the light is secured to the base of the upper body.
 10. The hidden pistol lock box of claim 8, wherein the light comprises a motion sensor operable to activate the light when sensing motion. 